4-2 day for MHS spikers in opener

By Steve Sell

August 29, 2016

HUTCHINSON — McPherson High’s volleyball team was down.

But not out.

After an uncharacteristic 1-2 record in pool play on Saturday in the AVCTL Preseason Tournament, the Bullpups dug down deep to win three matches in the consolation round to finish the 14-hour day with a 4-2 record.

There were four pools of four and MHS was in arguably the toughest pool. It needed three sets to dispatch with improved Campus (20-25, 25-21, 25-21), but then lost to Valley Center (25-16, 19-25, 19-25) and Maize (17-25, 18-25).

The four teams in MHS’ pool were a combined 15-9 on the day.

The Bullpups stormed through the back side, winning matches against Liberal (25-23, 25-16), Goddard (25-14, 25-18) and Hutchinson (25-20, 25-17).

“We came back after the disappointing loss to Valley Center and won three matches,” Doile said. “The loss to Valley Center was due to poor receive and hitting errors. I loved Set 1 against Valley. Man, we want to redo those last two sets. It wasn’t our best foot forward. We will learn from that.”

Doile said Maize, which was 5-1 on the day, “had a nice team. Maize came out ready to roll.”

Newton was the only team to go 6-0 on the day.

New starter Jaycee Burghart made her presence known by coming up with an even 100 assists in the six matches. Brooke Schrag was far and away the dig leader with 64 as she’s expected to be a quarterback on the court. Mandi Cooks was the point leader on the day with 60 1/2, with Rachel Dossett next with 47 1/2.

MHS won’t have much time to relax and it goes to El Dorado on Tuesday.